Yuriy Shishkov Dissects His Builder Select 1963 Stratocaster
Inspired by a white ’63 Stratocaster with a contrasting tortoiseshell pickguard, the Yuriy Shishkov Builder Select 1963 Stratocaster is instilled with the master builder’s own personality and imagination yet still maintains elemental Fender tone, style and feel.
This inspired example of Shishkov’s luthiery reflects an instrument that has been played with loving respect versus careless abandon. The Aged Arctic White Journeyman Relic finish shows the marks of countless gigs over the years. The quartersawn ’60s “C”-shaped maple neck reflects a master’s touch—a smooth, silky finish on the front and lack of finish on the back, where the player’s hands would caress the neck.
The Custom Shop Hand-Wound ’60s Strat Single-Coil pickups include a reverse-wound, reverse polarity middle pickup for hum-free playing while accurately recreating classic Fender tone and dynamic response.
Watch Shishkov break down this beautiful guitar in the video below.